ECG Chapter 9 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does ACLS stand for?

Advanced Clinical Life Support

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support

Advanced Care Life Support

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (correct)

What is apnea?

The absence of breathing.

What is bigeminy?

Every other complex is a PVC.

What is coupling in terms of PVCs?

Two PVCs that occur back to back. Signup and view all the answers

What is a crash cart?

A cart or tray used during emergencies containing medication/equipment for life support. Signup and view all the answers

What is frequent PVC?

Six or more PVCs per minute. Signup and view all the answers

What are interpolated PVCs?

PVCs that occur during the normal R to R interval without interrupting the underlying rhythm. Signup and view all the answers

What does multifocal refer to in PVCs?

Varied shapes and forms of PVCs. Signup and view all the answers

What does occasional PVC mean?

More than one to five PVCs per minute. Signup and view all the answers

What is quadgeminy?

Every fourth complex has a PVC. Signup and view all the answers

What are R on T PVCs?

PVCs occur on the downslope of the T wave. Signup and view all the answers

What is trigeminy?

Every third complex has a PVC. Signup and view all the answers

What does unifocal mean in PVCs?

Early complexes have similar shapes, suggesting only one irritable focus. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes ventricular complexes and rhythms?

Missing P waves and wide and bizarre QRS complexes that measure 0.12 or greater. Signup and view all the answers

What is a premature ventricular complex (PVC)?

An ectopic impulse that occurs early in the cycle and originates from the ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

What defines premature ventricular complexes?

Early QRS complex measuring 0.12 seconds or greater that has a wide and bizarre appearance. Signup and view all the answers

When do agonal rhythms occur?

When pacemakers in the heart have failed. Signup and view all the answers

What is an agonal rhythm?

Absence of P waves, a ventricular rate of less than 20 beats per minute, and wide, bizarre QRS complexes. Signup and view all the answers

When do idioventricular rhythms occur?

When sinoatrial and junctional pacemakers fail to initiate an impulse. Signup and view all the answers

What is an idioventricular rhythm characterized by?

Absence of P waves, slow ventricular rate of 20 to 40 beats per minute, and wide and bizarre QRS complexes. Signup and view all the answers

When do accelerated idioventricular rhythms occur?

When sinoatrial and junctional pacemakers fail and only the slow ventricular pacemaker remains. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between accelerated idioventricular and idioventricular dysrhythmias?

Heart rates: accelerated idioventricular is 40 to 100 bpm; idioventricular is 20 to 40 bpm. Signup and view all the answers

What is an accelerated idioventricular rhythm?

Absence of P waves, a ventricular rate of 40 to 100 beats per minute, and wide and bizarre QRS complexes. Signup and view all the answers

What is ventricular tachycardia?

Three or more PVCs occurring in a row with a rate greater than 100 beats per minute. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes ventricular tachycardia?

Wide and bizarre QRS complexes with a rate exceeding 100 beats per minute and no P waves. Signup and view all the answers

What is ventricular fibrillation?

Chaotic asynchronous electrical activity within the ventricular tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is true ventricular defibrillation?

A state where patients are unresponsive with quivering ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

What is asystole?

Absence of ventricular activity and depolarization. Signup and view all the answers

Which ventricular dysrhythmia has no P waves?

Accelerated idioventricular, idioventricular, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation. Signup and view all the answers

Which ventricular dysrhythmia has a heart rate between 40 and 100 beats per minute?

Accelerated idioventricular. Signup and view all the answers

Which ventricular dysrhythmia has a heart rate less than 20 beats per minute?

Agonal. Signup and view all the answers

Which ventricular dysrhythmia has a heart rate between 20 and 40 beats per minute?

Idioventricular. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about ventricular dysrhythmias regarding the P-P intervals?

There are no P waves, so no measurable P-P interval. Signup and view all the answers

QRS complexes that measure 0.12 seconds or greater with a rate between 20 and 40 beats per minutes indicate the impulses causing ventricular depolarization are coming from the ______________.

Purkinje fibers (ventricles) Signup and view all the answers

Ventricular fibrillation is typically described as ______________.

chaotic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following dysrhythmias is not considered to be a medical emergency?

Occasional PVCs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between idioventricular rhythm and accelerated idioventricular rhythm?

Idioventricular rhythm rate is 20 to 40 bpm; accelerated idioventricular rhythm is 40 to 100 bpm. Signup and view all the answers

How are agonal rhythm and asystole the same?

Both rhythms are life-threatening and will require basic and advanced life support measures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation?

V-tach is described as three or more PVCs in a row at a rate exceeding 100 bpm; V-fib is chaotic electrical activity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

ACLS involves clinical interventions for cardiac arrest and life-threatening emergencies.
Requires knowledge and skills to deploy emergency treatment effectively.

Breathing and Arrhythmias

Apnea: Defined as the absence of breathing.
Bigeminy: A rhythm where every other complex is a premature ventricular contraction (PVC).
Coupling: Refers to two PVCs occurring back to back.
Crash Cart: Emergency cart containing medications and equipment for life support during critical situations.
Frequent PVC: Defined as six or more PVCs per minute.
Interpolated PVC: A PVC that occurs within the normal R to R interval without disrupting rhythm.
Multifocal PVC: Characterized by varied shapes and forms of PVCs.

Variations of PVCs

Occasional PVC: More than one but fewer than six PVCs per minute.
Quadgeminy: Occurs when every fourth complex is a PVC.
R on T PVCs: PVCs occurring on the downslope of the T wave, indicative of a vulnerable ventricular refractory period.
Trigeminy: Every third complex features a PVC.
Unifocal PVC: Early complexes display a similar shape, indicating a single irritable focus.

Ventricular Rhythms

Ventricular Complexes and Rhythms: Characterized by missing P waves and wide, bizarre QRS complexes (≥0.12 seconds).
Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC): Ectopic impulse originating early from the ventricles; wide and bizarre QRS with no P wave.
Agonal Rhythm: Heart's last rhythmic activity; absence of P waves, less than 20 BPM, indicative of heart failure.
Idioventricular Rhythm: 20-40 BPM, absence of P waves, and wide QRS complexes.
Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm: Heart rate of 40-100 BPM; still characterized by wide QRS complexes and absence of P waves.

Tachycardia and Fibrillation

Ventricular Tachycardia: Involves three or more PVCs in a row at a rate >100 BPM; demonstrates a contraction pattern without intervals.
Ventricular Fibrillation: Chaotic electrical activity with quivering walls, leading to ineffective heart contractions and no output.
Asystole: Complete lack of ventricular activity, leading to a "flat line" on the rhythm strip; requires confirmation in multiple leads.

Medical Emergencies

Various ventricular dysrhythmias indicate different heart rates and emergencies:
- Accelerated Idioventricular, Idioventricular, Ventricular Tachycardia, and Ventricular Fibrillation all lack P waves.
- Agonal rhythm is life-threatening with a rate of less than 20 BPM.
- Idioventricular rhythm ranges from 20-40 BPM.

Key Differences

Ventricular Tachycardia vs. Ventricular Fibrillation: V-tach is characterized by organized contractions (≥100 BPM), while V-fib exhibits chaotic electrical activity.

Definitions & Characteristics

Agonal rhythms require advanced life support.
Electrical impulses causing depolarization during idioventricular rhythms originate from Purkinje fibers.

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Study important terms and definitions related to ECG and advanced cardiac life support in this comprehensive set of flashcards. Perfect for medical students and professionals looking to enhance their vocabulary in emergency cardiac care.